The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. Bowl scheduling allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2025 Orange Bowl.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Draft Prospects
Xavier Watts, S
Watts joined Notre Dame in 2020 and has stuck with the program over the last several seasons. He jumped into the starting lineup at the end of the 2022 season, then was one of the best defensive backs in the country for 2023 and 2024. This season, Watts has registered 66 total tackles, nine passes defended and six interceptions.
At 6-foot and 203 pounds, Watts has solid size for an NFL safety. His instincts and ball skills help him make plays on the ball and stick out among other safeties. He is good in deep zone coverage, even without elite range. Watts has done enough to warrant consideration on day two of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Howard Cross III, DL
Like Watts, Cross has been in the Notre Dame program for a long time. He joined the Fighting Irish in 2019, got his first start in 2021, then played a larger role over the last three seasons with the program. In 2024, Cross has 24 total tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks.
Cross is an undersized NFL defensive lineman at 6-foot-1 and 288 pounds. He lacks strength, but has natural leverage to help him win. Cross also moves quickly for a defensive lineman. His size may limit his draft stock, but he still can be drafted in the middle rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
*CB Benjamin Morrison is a projected first-round pick, but will not play in this game due to an injury.
*DL Rylie Mills is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected mid-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects: TE Mitchell Evans (5th-7th), EDGE RJ Oben (6th-UFA), QB Riley Leonard (6th-UFA), LB Jack Kiser (6th-UFA), LB Jaylen Sneed (6th-UFA), WR Beaux Collins (6th-UFA), OT Pat Coogan (6th-UFA), P Bryce McFerson (UFA), OT Tosh Baker (UFA), WR Kris Mitchell (UFA)
Penn State Nittany Lions Draft Prospects
Abdul Carter, EDGE
Carter signed with Penn State in 2022. He started his career as a linebacker and played well. Before this season, Carter moved to being an edge rusher, where he has found success. This season, Carter has registered 22 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
At 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds, Carter is not the prototypical height for an NFL edge rusher. He is still learning the position as well. Carter does have a good burst at the snap of the ball and has great athleticism to pair with it. These tools should have him getting selected early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick
Tyler Warren, TE
Warren joined Penn State in 2020 and then waited his turn behind some talented tight ends. He played sparingly in his first two seasons before playing more in his last three seasons. This season has been spectacular, as he has 98 receptions for 1,158 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has rushed for 197 yards and four touchdowns.
At 6-foot-6 and 261 pounds, Warren has good size for an NFL tight end. He can clean up some of his blocking technique and has had issues with drops in the past. Warren is a willing blocker and can be tough for defenses to match up with. His production and athletic traits warrant him being selected early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects: QB Drew Allar (2nd-3rd), S Kevin Winston (2nd-3rd), RB Nicholas Singleton (2nd-4th), EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton (3rd-5th), OT Drew Shelton (4th-6th), S Jaylen Reed (6th-UFA), LB Kobe King (6th-UFA), DL Zane Durant (6th-UFA), RB Kaytron Allen (6th-UFA), EDGE Amin Vanover (UFA), CB Cam Miller (UFA), P Alex Bacchetta (UFA), CB Jalen Kimber (UFA), IOL Olaivavega Ione (UFA), IOL Sal Wormely (UFA)
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